Crepe Factor by Laura Childs Read Free Book Online Page A

in.
    â€œIt’s the lady in her coat of many colors,” Carmela said, referring to the brightly colored floral velvet jacket that Jade was wearing.
    â€œHow do, ladies,” Jade said as she brushed a corkscrew of blond hair off her forehead. She waved to Gabby and leaned in to give Carmela a hasty air kiss.
    â€œWhat brings you in?” Carmela asked.
    â€œMy undying thanks,” Jade said. She put a hand on her hip, leaned back, and said, “I can’t thank you enough for thatscrapbook you created for me. My Tea Party in a Box business has taken off with a bang. Whenever I do a presentation to a potential customer, they start turning the pages and barely make it to the middle of the book before they want to book a tea party.”
    Carmela grinned. “That’s great, Jade. But in all honesty, you provide a spectacular service. If Gabby and I ever decided to host a tea party, we’d put all our trust in you.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Gabby agreed. “You’re the tea expert. You’re the one who can match the right Darjeeling to a poppy seed scone.”
    â€œBut you ladies are the ones who gave my scrapbook the design spark,” Jade said. “You encouraged me to stick with one type of paper so all my photos would stand out better. And they do. Every table setting, every teapot, every dessert looks fabulous on that Champagne Cream paper you recommended. And the gray silk shantung cover gets raves. No wonder my business is flourishing.”
    Gabby patted Jade’s shoulder. “Don’t you think your hard work had something to do with it?”
    â€œI suppose,” Jade said. “But now that I’ve hit the mother lode, I want to share some of my success.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Carmela asked.
    Jade poked a finger at Carmela. “I’m hosting a tea party for the Evangeline Women’s Club this Thursday and I want you to come.”
    â€œMe?” Carmela squeaked. “I don’t know. That club is awfully fancy.”
    â€œNot just fancy,” Gabby said. “Stuffy, too. Stuart’s momma is on their board of directors and you know what a stickler for etiquette she is.”
    Jade waved a hand. “Not to worry, Carmela, you’ll make a positively brilliant guest.” She headed for the door andthen turned to deliver her final words. “And I won’t take no for an answer!”
    The door was barely shut when Carmela turned to face Gabby, who was clapping excitedly.
    â€œThis is such an honor, Carmela. Just think, if you make a good impression, you could be invited to join the Evangeline Women’s Club. They’re like the crème de la crème of New Orleans women.”
    â€œHelp.”
    Gabby cocked an eye at her. “Help? What’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œI’ve never been to a fancy tea party before,” Carmela admitted. “Not even once.”
    â€œOh, come on. You’ve been to scads of upscale cocktail parties. Afternoon tea is pretty much the same thing. You wear a cute suit, a nice choker of pearls . . .”
    â€œBut there’s a ton of etiquette involved in a tea party, isn’t there? All that breaking of scones and sipping of tea and lifting your pinky finger.”
    â€œCarmela, under penalty of law, do not lift your pinky finger.”
    â€œEven if it’s quivering nervously?”
    â€œWhy are you so worried?” Gabby asked. “Really?”
    â€œHere’s the thing,” Carmela said. “Stuart’s momma isn’t the only stuffy woman on their board.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œShamus’s big sister, Glory Meechum? She sits on the board of the Evangeline Women’s Club, too.”
    Gabby grimaced. “You mean the great stone face?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Carmela said. “The one Shamus used to call ‘She Who Must Be Obeyed.’”
    â€œUsed